This is nonsense.
A department store blames Labour for its collapse. But the CEO’s political leanings, the store’s history, and the local public’s reaction tell a very different story.
Here’s what really happened: 🧵
A department store blames Labour for its collapse. But the CEO’s political leanings, the store’s history, and the local public’s reaction tell a very different story.
Here’s what really happened: 🧵
CEO Tony Brown wants you to believe Labour killed Beales.
He’s plastered Rachel Reeves’s face across ‘closing down sale’ posters and blamed tax rises for making his business “unviable”.
But Beales was already collapsing under the Tories.
He’s plastered Rachel Reeves’s face across ‘closing down sale’ posters and blamed tax rises for making his business “unviable”.
But Beales was already collapsing under the Tories.
Beales reported a £6m loss in 2013. It closed 10 stores in 2016. In January 2020, it went into administration.
A new company re-opened three of the stores, but by 2024 only the Poole one had survived.
Despite that, Brown’s reason for blaming Labour is obvious.
A new company re-opened three of the stores, but by 2024 only the Poole one had survived.
Despite that, Brown’s reason for blaming Labour is obvious.
He’s a “proud” member of the Conservative Party.
There were no public swipes at the government before Labour came to power.
Local Poole residents see right through it, and they’re not holding back.
There were no public swipes at the government before Labour came to power.
Local Poole residents see right through it, and they’re not holding back.
Some quotes from a local Facebook post:
• “Tony’s done it again, always someone else’s fault”
• “He would try to blame the government, it’s poor management I’m afraid”
• “Beales is mismanaged, disorganised, and old fashioned”
• “Tony’s done it again, always someone else’s fault”
• “He would try to blame the government, it’s poor management I’m afraid”
• “Beales is mismanaged, disorganised, and old fashioned”
I have so much sympathy for department stores fighting to survive.
For years, they’ve been so important for local economies – and vital community assets. The Amazon era has been rough.
But three disappointing things jump out in this case.
For years, they’ve been so important for local economies – and vital community assets. The Amazon era has been rough.
But three disappointing things jump out in this case.
It’s a shame to see:
1. A CEO using their political leanings as cover for their business’s failings
2. The shadow chancellor scoring cheap points with a publicity stunt at the shop today
3. The right-wing media faithfully writing up this narrative with no critical thinking
1. A CEO using their political leanings as cover for their business’s failings
2. The shadow chancellor scoring cheap points with a publicity stunt at the shop today
3. The right-wing media faithfully writing up this narrative with no critical thinking
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